Neurodiversity and disability: what is at stake?

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Philosophy of Law

Background:

• Neurodiversity is gaining prominence in academic, activist, and institutional contexts globally.
• Its application spans workplaces, education, psychotherapy, and political discourse.
• The term is increasingly integrated into therapeutic practices and autism service provision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine the implications and stakes of neurodiversity's widespread usage.
• To resituate neurodiversity within disability studies by analyzing the role of neurology in identity and rights.
• To identify urgent questions concerning disabled people that may be overlooked by current neurodiversity paradigms.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the term 'neurodiversity' and its applications.
• Examination of how neurology is deployed to establish identity, rights, and benefits.
• Critical review of the discourse surrounding neurodiversity in various institutional settings.

Main Results:

• The current deployment of neurodiversity may obscure critical issues for disabled individuals.
• Neurology's role in defining identity, rights, and benefits within neurodiversity frameworks requires scrutiny.
• The increasing harshness and ableism in the political climate exacerbate these overlooked concerns.

Conclusions:

• The widespread adoption of neurodiversity necessitates a critical evaluation of its impact on disability politics.
• Urgent attention must be paid to the experiences of disabled people, particularly in contexts of increasing ableism.
• Further research is needed to ensure neurodiversity frameworks do not inadvertently marginalize disability concerns.